Dumfries and Galloway posties set to strike on some of the busiest shopping days of the year

Posties are set to stage a walkout on some of the busiest shopping days of the year as their dispute with Royal Mail continues.

The Communication Workers Union will consult with members, including those based at Castle Douglas, on the possibility of more strikes in the run up to Christmas.

And it is also asking them to pass a motion of no confidence in the company’s chief executive Simon Thompson.

The move comes after the union slammed a new pay offer that Royal Mail claims is worth nine per cent – including a seven per cent increase over two years, plus a lump sum payment of two per cent this year.

But the offer is conditional on changes to working practices, including Sunday working, start times and flexibility.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “Posties are in the fight of their lives against the uberisation of Royal Mail and the destruction of their conditions.

“But 115,000 of our members will not just accept this war on their livelihoods and their industry.

“They will never give up the fight to protect this industry and to protect their hard-won working conditions.

“Simon Thompson has to either accept that or walk away – until he does one or the other, serious disruption will continue.”

Posties had been due to strike this week and next but that was suspended following a letter from Royal Mail’s legal department.

The next planned strike will take place on November 24 and 25 – the latter known as Black Friday.

And they also plan further action on November 30 and December 1 – days after Cyber Monday, one of the busiest online shopping days of the year.

Royal Mail and the CWU have held talks through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “On Monday, October 31, Royal Mail proposed a new pay-for-change offer to the CWU worth nine per cent over two years, despite making a loss of £219 million in the first half of the year.

“The CWU have been in talks with us at ACAS and claim they are open to change but they now need to show it.

“Instead, the CWU have announced four days of strike action which will damage our business further at our busiest time of year.

“The CWU is playing a dangerous game with its members’ jobs and the future of Royal Mail.

“We urge CWU to withdraw these strikes for the good of our customers and our people.”